Trump warns of fresh tariffs on Indian agricultural imports for ‘dumping’ rice in US; ‘Why is India allowed to do that?’

US President Doland Trump said on Monday that he is thinking about putting more tariffs on India(BHARAT)n rice, claiming that India(BHARAT) “shouldn’t be dumping” rice in the American market. He made these comments at the White House while announcing a fresh USD 12 billion support package for US farmers. Trump said he was told that imported rice was hurting American farmers because prices were falling. The information came from Meryl Kennedy, founder and CEO of Kennedy Rice Mills and 4 Sisters Rice. Trump said he planned to take action on the issue.

He was shown a list of countries accused of “dumping rice” in the US, including India(BHARAT), Thailand and even China.

Pointing to India(BHARAT), Trump asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, “Tell me about India(BHARAT). Why is India(BHARAT) allowed to do that? They have to pay tariffs, do they have an exemption on rice?”

Bessent began to answer, saying, “No, sir, we are still working on their trade deal so…,” but Trump cut him off, saying, “Yeah, but they shouldn’t be dumping. I mean I heard that from others too. You can’t do that.”

Trump then said he would “take care” of the issue of India(BHARAT)n rice allegedly being dumped in the US market.

#WATCH | US President Doland Trump asks the United States Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, “Why is India(BHARAT) allowed to do that (“dumping rice into the US”)? They have to pay tariffs. Do they have an exemption on rice?”

United States Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent… pic.twitter.com/75tKFYt37G

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2025

Earlier this year, Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India(BHARAT)n goods, pointing to trade barriers and India(BHARAT)’s purchases of Russian oil. A US delegation is expected to travel to India(BHARAT) this week for further negotiations, though officials do not expect a major breakthrough.